Are you eligible for a cruising or service award?
Have you just returned from offshore?
Would you like to nominate someone for an offshore or perpetual award?
Ever since the first awards were presented in November 1978 (see details on pg 10 in the Sept 2007 article written by BCA Historian, Glenora Doherty), BCA has celebrated its members’ achievements at annual awards ceremonies that take place in December in each Chapter. These happy occasions, which are shared with the membership at large, inspire the “dreamers” among us, encourage the “do-ers”, and remind the “doners” of their own bluewater experiences.
Cruising Awards
The Cruising Awards honour the sailing achievements of Bluewater Cruising Association skippers and their crews and/or their safe return to home port:
- Coastal 999 Award – for members who complete a minimum 999nm coastal (harbour-hopping) voyage outside Canadian territorial waters
- Offshore Crew Award – for members who complete a minimum 999nm non-stop offshore passage outside Canadian territorial waters as crew on a non-commercial vessel
- Offshore Skipper’s Award – for members who skipper someone else’s non-commercial vessel for a minimum 999nm non-stop offshore passage outside Canadian territorial waters
- Owner’s Offshore Award – for members who complete a minimum 999nm non-stop offshore passage outside Canadian territorial waters on their own boat
- Cape Horn Award – for members who have rounded Cape Horn on their own boat
- Circumnavigation Award – for members who successfully circumnavigate on their own boat
BCA Cruising Awards
Service Awards
The Service Awards recognize individuals who have served as Watchkeepers at the Chapter or Board of Director level, for an extended period of time, and those who are particularly deserving of recognition due to their unflagging volunteer contributions, often carried out quietly behind the scenes.
- Service Award – for those Watchkeepers who have served more than three years on the Watch and/or Board of Directors
- Rudi Seifert Keeper of the Light – for significant contributions to BCA that reflect and support the spirit, vision and/or values of the Association
Perpetual Awards
The Perpetual Awards acknowledge unique sailing, organizational and sometimes humorous achievements and / or actions that are worthy of recognition; they are awarded from time to time:
- Peter Doherty Goodwill Ambassador Award – awarded to an individual or couple who exemplify, while cruising, an outstanding commitment to furthering the cruising lifestyle of camaraderie and providing assistance
- Ben Rusi Seamanship Award – awarded to an individual or couple for acts of seamanship demonstrating levels of courage, determination, citizenship and discipline
- Doug Mitchell Memorial Single Hander’s Award – awarded to an individual who has made a significant single-handed voyage
- Antares Pacific High Finders’ Award – awarded annually to the members who log the longest time Hawaii-Victoria passage in either direction
- Hill-Padwick Bent Mast Award – awarded for the “boo boo of the year” as determined by popular vote during Awards night
- Peterson Cup – awarded to the winner of the annual Peterson Cup Cruising Rally, as determined by the rally participants
- Ted Long Award – awarded to an individual for outstanding personal contributions to BCA
Nomination / Application Process
Detailed information about BCA’s many sailing and perpetual awards, application criteria, and the nomination process can be found on the BCA website and in the 2017 Member Directory, pp 20-22. If you think you are eligible, or wish to nominate someone for an award, now is the time to do it!
You are encouraged to either apply for or nominate other members by contacting Past Commodore, Jennifer Handley. All applicants will be required to provide detail about the qualifying voyage(s), including dates.
In order to allow time for review by the Awards Committee, engraving, and presentation at the three Chapters’ Awards Nights in December, all applications must be received prior to November 3, 2017.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer.
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